By CONOR NICHOLL
Both Pleasanton basketball teams picked up key wins Tuesday against Marmaton Valley. On the boys’ side, Dale Gillespie, a standout since his freshman year with the Blu-Jays, set the school single game scoring mark with 43 points. He hit seven treys in a 79-69 victory that moved the Blu-Jays to 6-6, per MaxPreps. Gillespie played multiple positions with Pleasanton football and finished his career with 76 tackles and 807 all-purpose yards for a 7-3 team this fall.
For the girls, Pleasanton picked up a quality 39-25 victory versus MV. Marmaton Valley had won three straight and seven of its last eight. MV had not allowed more than 34 points in any game since Dec. 13. Marmaton Valley has enjoyed a nice season with an 8-5 mark behind a wealth of experience, including 5-10 sophomore Piper Barney and athletic junior guard Janae Granere.
Pleasanton girls improved to 8-2 and have won four straight. The Blu-Jays have won four straight games. MV led after the first quarter before Pleasanton held the Wildcats without a field goal in the second quarter. The Blu-Jays have only taken losses to Arma-Northeast and St. Paul. Last Thursday, Pleasanton picked up a quality 34-19 win against Olathe Heritage Christian Academy, a 7-3 squad.
Pleasanton girls have been a consistent winner under coach Ethan Sabine. The Blu-Jays are 14-8, 15-7, 14-8, 14-4 and 15-6 the last five years, per MaxPreps archives. Junior Eryn Sabine is back after a first team all-league season. She had a double-double in a 26-18 win on Jan. 17.
Junior Kali Umphenour, 5-foot-11 senior Kara Umphenour, senior Landry George and sophomore point guard Leah Myrick have also been key. Myrick hit two 3s against Heritage Christian.
Both teams are in the Erie sub-state. Pleasanton boys are currently fourth. The Blu-Jay girls are currently top-three in a sub-state that features undefeated Colgan.
